What is eye-tracking?

It is the process of measuring eye movements to determine where a person is looking, what they are looking at, and how long they pay attention to a particular point of focus. Furthermore, It can also be used to interact with devices (to control tablets, computers, mobile phones) with your eyes instead of using touch screens or a mouse. The eye tracker, on the other hand, is the device we use for eye-tracking and can be either external hardware or embedded software utilizing the camera of the device. One of the most fundamental uses of eye-tracking is Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) which we explain further here.

How does eye-tracking work?

1. A device emits infrared light
2. That light is reflected by the pupils
3. The camera detects the reflections using advanced filters and algorithms that we have developed
4. The device is able to follow your gaze

What is the difference between eye-tracking and eye-gaze?

We use eye-tracking when we refer to tracking eye movements for research, and we use eye gaze technology for augmented and alternative communication (AAC).

In research, we analyze eye movements to find patterns, eye-tracking studies gather data on eye-gaze patterns. We can, for example, obtain information about the time spent looking at something or how the eyes move forward and backward.
If we get accurate, eye-tracking devices are for data collection and eye-gaze for communication. But, we can find both expressions when referring to communicators for AAC because many eye-gaze devices in the market can also be eye-tracking equipment.

What is Hiru?

Hiru is the first eye-tracking device 100% compatible with Windows and iPadOS, in the world. It is an infrared-based (IR) eye-tracking device that can completely replace the traditional mouse and enables you to control the screen with only your eyes. You can do everything you would with a touchscreen device but with your eyes instead of your hands.

In addition, you can connect Hiru to any device, no matter what operating system it uses because Hiru already provides native integration of eye tracking in iPadOS and Windows. In fact, it has been certified to meet Apple’s performance standards. It enables the full use of iPad or Windows apps for people with disabilities via eye gaze.

What version of iPad does Hiru work with?

Hiru is compatible with the latest versions of iPad Pro 12.9″ 5th and 6th generation as well as iPad Pro 11″ 3rd and 4th generations.

What is EasyClick? or What is a gaze access program?

It is IRISBOND’s eye gaze access program. It allows you to control your computer with your eyes quickly, easily and precisely. As a result, you will be able to access all the tools and programs that you would use with a computer mouse but using your eyes instead. Our eye gaze program provides you with click, scroll, and keyboard buttons and many more options for use with Hiru.

What is webcam-based eye-tracking?

Basically, it is eye tracking made within the webcam in your device to record the movement of your gaze. Despite not being as accurate as infrared eye-tracking, it is enough for some eye-tracking applications. At IRISBOND, we have developed an interactive application for people with communication and mobility issues that allow communicating using gaze without any external hardware, just by using the webcam-based eye-tracker, Mamu.

 What is Oskol?

Hiru Oskol is the solution that protects Hiru with the tablet. A lightweight, easy-to-assemble and flexible solution that also ensures the perfect angle for ideal precision. There are 2 models of Hiru Oskol: for iPad Pro 12.9 (5th or 6th generation) and for Microsoft Surface Pro.

What is Systray?

It is the application that Hiru uses for the update system in Windows. This application will notify you whenever an update is available and will allow you to perform the updates. Furthermore, Systray also activates Windows’ own computer control program: Windows Control.

What is GRID3?

An app for communication and access in AAC. It allows you to express yourself freely, control your environment and have a more independent life.

Designed for people with speech impairments and special communication needs, it offers endless content adapted to all ages.

 What is to calibrate, and how to control devices with your gaze

It’s simple: just choose the precision settings you want for the device and follow the points that appear on the screen. The process takes about 5 seconds. In addition to calibration, it is important to position yourself properly in front of the screen. The user must be comfortable in order to ensure ideal calibration and greater precision.

What is positioning?

For better accuracy, distance and positioning are essential. The appropriate distance for good accuracy is between 50 cm and 70 cm from your Hiru device.

This is Touchless or contactless technology

It is both. In technology, Touchless is a relational functionality through which we can communicate with a computer using only gestures, the gaze, or any sensor that is capable of sending instructions, without any physical contact.

Touchless technology is based on interpreting the gestures we use daily to count, ask, learn, and communicate, converting them into relationship models via algorithms so that interaction with technology is less invasive, more natural and less conscious. We equip machines (interfaces, AI…) with intelligence so that they can interpret our body language (gestures, gaze, and voice), humanizing the communication between the person and the machine.

What are some examples of contactless technology?

Facial or iris recognition for access points and for distance learning, automatic doors, contactless payment chips and pin terminals, motion-sensor lights, cisterns, taps, hand dryers, paper or soap dispensers, rubbish bins, solar blinds, and so on, are some of the more commonly known touchless technologies. Eye tracking is also used to detect if a driver is falling asleep at the wheel. Combined with VR, versatile uses have been developed such as: facilitating the repair of machines in factories, training courses for new workers, assisting surgeons during operations…

 What is Human Interface Interaction?

It originates from the concept of HCI or Human-Computer Interaction, which focuses on the design of technologies for the exchange of information between people (users) and computers. The key to the exchange is in the interaction, therefore, it is important that the technology is effective, efficient and easy-to-use since society can benefit significantly from these advances. To do this, we equip machines with artificial intelligence. This makes the interaction possible.

What is AAC?

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a set of strategies and tools that people with complex communication needs use to improve their day-to-day life.

As we all know, communication occurs or can occur, in various ways. When someone has complex needs or their speech is difficult to understand, it is crucial that they have access to a personalized, appropriate, and well-designed communication system that can be used anywhere and with anyone. This set of strategies and technology is referred to as the One-Person AAC System.

Moreover, AAC strategies help the person play an active part in roles such as interpersonal interactions, learning, education, social activities, employment, volunteering, or caregiving.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is not incompatible with but rather complementary to the rehabilitation of natural speech, and, in addition, it can assist in successful rehabilitation whenever possible. There should therefore be no hesitation in introducing it at an early age, as soon as difficulties are observed in the development of spoken language, or shortly after an accident or illness has caused its deterioration. There is no evidence that the use of AAC inhibits or interferes with the development or recovery of speech.

What is a SAAC?

AAC Systems (SAAC) are forms of expression other than spoken language which aim to increase (augmentative) and/or compensate (act as alternatives) for the communication and language difficulties of people with disabilities.

Communication and language are essential for every human being to be able to interact with others, and to learn, enjoy and participate in society. Today, thanks to these systems, difficulties in spoken language are no longer an obstacle. For this reason, all people, be they children, youths, adults or the elderly, who for whatever reason have not acquired or have lost a sufficient level of speech to communicate satisfactorily, need to use an AACS.

 What resources are used to address AAC?

Augmentative and Alternative Communication includes various systems of symbols, both graphics (photographs, drawings, pictograms, words or letters) and gestures (mimicry, gestures or manual signs) which, in the case of the former, requires the use of support products. The various symbol systems are tailored to the needs of individuals of widely varying ages and motor, cognitive and linguistic abilities.

Moreover, support products for communication include technological resources, such as artificial speech communicators or personal computers and tablets with special programs, which allow for different forms of access, some adapted to people with very reduced mobility, and may also facilitate the incorporation of the different systems of pictographic and orthographic signs, as well as different forms of output including voice output. They can also consist of non-tech resources, such as communication boards and books.

On the other hand, to access computers, communicators, boards or communication books, there are various strategies and instruments, generically called strategies and products of support for access, such as pointers, adapted or virtual keyboards and mice or gaze readers to use tablets and computers using the eyes.

How do I know what technology is right for my child?

IRISBOND always advises that an evaluation should be carried out by a professional specialized in high-tech AACS. For users without cognitive impairment who only use these solutions for access or communication, a trial period of one month can be beneficial.

How do I know that accuracy is sufficient?

For ideal accuracy of your eye reader, distance and positioning are essential. The appropriate distance for accuracy is between 50 cm and 70 cm from your Hiru. To know if the positioning is ideal, the EasyClick avatar must be green. If you are using GRID3, the avatar must be white and smiling.

When calibrating, the number of points must be taken into account as it influences precision; the more points we choose, the more precision we will obtain.

 What is the difference between EasyClick and GRID3?

EasyClick is a program that controls the cursor of a computer or tablet with your eyes. GRID3, on the other hand, is an advanced communicator.

We use Grid 3 if we want to communicate and use tools that allow us to interact with people.

For this reason, Easyclick is very useful in the first stages of training the gaze and for autonomous control, taking into account that it does not include a speech synthesizer.

If written text needs to be generated as speech, programs like GRID3 must be used to allow you to communicate and control your environment.

The GRID3 program does not detect my Irisbond

First you must make sure that when we launch EasyClick or Grid 3 the Irisbond DUO is connected to the computer or tablet.

Second, we cannot start EasyClick and Grid 3 with both programs configured with gaze access since the two software systems cannot access Irisbond at the same time.

It is set as default with EasyClick and must be configured in the case of Grid 3. Please get in touch if you have any questions.

GRID3 asks me for a licence

It is possible to download a 60-day trial period for free from our website; once the trial period has expired, it will ask for the paid licence.

If you have already entered the final licence number and from one day to the next it stops working, you must re-download the program from our website, and it should work normally when you open it. Still does not work? We will be happy to help you.

Please get in touch for any further doubts, queries or any frecuently asked questions you may have. We are all ears.